Safety Bubba Bolden, who left USC this past fall while facing a 28-month university suspension, has been reinstated by the school. He can begin taking classes this spring as USC’s Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards reopens its investigation involving Bolden.
The university provided this statement to TrojanSports on Monday:
"Because of recent state court rulings changing the procedures required during an investigation, the office that oversees student discipline at USC is reopening an investigation involving Bubba Bolden, a former safety on the football team. As a result, he will be permitted to return to classes for the spring semester if he so chooses, pending the outcome of the reopened investigation. Because the case involves student disciplinary matters that are protected by privacy laws, USC is unable to provide additional details."
Bolden was in line to be the starting strong safety when he and the staff were informed just a few days before the season opener that Bolden had to be removed from the team. Clay Helton was vocally supportive of Bolden in the wake of Bolden's Instagram post in October that declared he was leaving USC while offering his side of events that led to his suspension.
"I wish him nothing but the best," Helton said at the time. "Good player, good kid, and hopefully a very bright future for him. I know it will be."
The Trojans, who just signed Class of 2019 DB Briton Allen, have only three scholarship safeties returning from their 2018 squad. Bolden, a sophomore, still has three years of eligibility remaining.
The spring semester begins Jan. 7.
The university provided this statement to TrojanSports on Monday:
"Because of recent state court rulings changing the procedures required during an investigation, the office that oversees student discipline at USC is reopening an investigation involving Bubba Bolden, a former safety on the football team. As a result, he will be permitted to return to classes for the spring semester if he so chooses, pending the outcome of the reopened investigation. Because the case involves student disciplinary matters that are protected by privacy laws, USC is unable to provide additional details."
Bolden was in line to be the starting strong safety when he and the staff were informed just a few days before the season opener that Bolden had to be removed from the team. Clay Helton was vocally supportive of Bolden in the wake of Bolden's Instagram post in October that declared he was leaving USC while offering his side of events that led to his suspension.
"I wish him nothing but the best," Helton said at the time. "Good player, good kid, and hopefully a very bright future for him. I know it will be."
The Trojans, who just signed Class of 2019 DB Briton Allen, have only three scholarship safeties returning from their 2018 squad. Bolden, a sophomore, still has three years of eligibility remaining.
The spring semester begins Jan. 7.
